This beautiful plant called Neem can improve your life in more ways than one.
The time has finally come. Today I will share with you my love of neem. What it is, why it’s special, and how i personally use it. I cannot possibly cover all of the information about neem and the research behind it or this article would be of biblical length, but I’m sharing with you the more common purposes and why I love using it daily!
What is it?
Neem, or Azadirachta indica (Margousier in French), is a beautiful tree that grows in the warmer hemisphere of the world, such as South East Asia, India, some parts of Africa and the Caribbean. It is not a tree that grows in the wild very much, but it is deliberately planted by many to make use of it. All parts of the tree are used: flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, its wood, its shade. Every part of the tree is used, and while some uses overlap (such as for reducing inflammation), others are used for specific purposes (such as for making honey from the flowers). Neem is most commonly known in Ayurvedic medicine (traditional East Indian medicine), and has long-standing traditional uses.
Some of its main properties are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and also as an effective insecticide (more on that later). The extract is often a dark green or green-brown colour, can be quite thick in texture and has a very earthy smell. Neem is safe to use internally and externally, but make sure to get quality extracts or products that were sourced sustainably and using quality methods. Also keep in mind that some parts of the neem tree are better for some purposes but not all- be sure to do some research on this, especially if you intend to use it internally. Make sure the neem product that you use is safe and approved for internal consumption.
External applications
I love using neem for skin health especially, and my body gets a loving dose of it every day. Products containing neem are increasing in the global market, especially in places like wellness websites and health food stores. Though it is possible to find these products, you can easily and simply add neem extract or oil to your own homemade DIY body care products.
Neem is effective for alleviating dandruff, psoriasis, redness or irritation to the scalp. it even can be used alongside other treatments for lice! It is used in products to treat acne, rosacea and redness of the face, as well as sunburns and irritated insect bites. It is also great in a foot soak against fungal infections such as Athlete’s Foot.
Examples could be adding a bit of extract to your shampoo, making a hair-scalp mask or rinse, or adding it to a body lotion. Do you make your own facial oils? Add some neem to your facial oil for acne-prone skin, but try finding one that doesn’t have a strong smell or thick consistency, especially for your face (or it will need to be diluted and refined). Back or body acne can also be diminished using a soap or body wash containing neem. In cases of eczema, sunburns, rashes or even chickenpox, adding it to a warm oatmeal bath can really help to soothe and repair the skin.
Are you prone to being eaten alive by insects in the summer, but are tired of toxic insect repellents? Most insects cannot stand the smell of neem and are wary of being exposed to it. Add some neem extract to your own DIY bug repellent spray or cream and you will probably have a more freeing experience camping while wearing shorts and a tank top.
As for pets, neem is generally safe for your fluffy companions when used as an all-natural spritzer or in a pet shampoo. Neem can be safely ingested (if they lick their fur, for example). It can be used alongside other treatments against tics, lice, and other biting insects, and is great for irritated, inflamed skin conditions.
My favourite pet shampoo with neem comes from a Canadian family-owned business called Nezza Naturals. In fact, they have many products that contain neem (salves, balms, face creams, soaps, lotions, etc) and they are my go-to for high quality products containing neem. My favourite concentrated extract come from them, too.
Internal uses
Although I caution the internal use of neem (especially pertaining to product quality and sourcing), it has been studied for treating parasitic infections, soothing inflammation of mucosal membranes, and inflammation and dysbiosis along the entire gastrointestinal track. I suggest purchasing ingestible food products, such as organic neem tea or raw organic neem honey, if you want to consume it.
So many of us live with poor oral health, and in consequence deal with conditions such as gingivitis, cavities, pain and inflammation of the gums, oral thrush and other infections. Add some neem extract to a non-alcohol based mouth wash and rinse with this every day to help restore balance and reduce inflammation in the mouth. Neem mouth washes and gargling rinses are useful in the cases of sore throats, sinus infections and colds (basically when there is irritation, infection or inflammation in that general area of the body). It can also be found in some natural toothpastes, such as Himalaya products.
In the garden
My third reason for loving neem is how effective it can be in treating my indoor and outdoor plants against insects and pests. Neem was shown in studies to be effective against over 300 insects commonly problematic against agricultural crops. Not only is the scent of neem a deterrent for many insects, certain properties of neem halt their reproductive abilities, rendering them incapable of reproducing and laying eggs. I’ve personally found that spraying a neem dilution onto my plants regularly helps keep them safe against aphids, moths, caterpillars, mites and other bugs that eat my plants. I also discovered that it can treat soil that is overtaken by molds for whatever reason, without harming the plants that I am growing.
Craving more?
If you want to learn more, check out the research literature that I have cited below, a book exclusively about neem by John Conrick, and my Youtube video about neem with a highlight of my favourite neem products these days.
Reference 1 Reference 2 Reference 3 Reference 4 Reference 5
P.S.
This article was originally written and published on my other website, Arbor Holistic Coaching. You can check out the original weblink here: https://www.arborholistic.com/writing/2020/5/27/all-about-neem
